Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Gears & gear trains

Meshing gears
n1·N1 = n2·N2
Torque
T2 = T1·(N2/N1)·η
Power
P = T·ω, ω = 2π·n/60
Compound train
total ratio = product of the stage ratios

Torsion of shafts

Shear stress
τ = T·r/J
Solid shaft
J = πd⁴/32
Hollow shaft
J = π(D⁴ − d⁴)/32
Angle of twist
φ = TL/(GJ)
Power
P = T·ω = 2πnT/60

Method

  1. Find the polar moment of area: J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft.
  2. Shear stress at the surface: τ = T·r/J, with r the outer radius.
  3. Angle of twist: φ = TL/(GJ) in radians.
  4. If power is given, find the torque first with P = T·ω, ω = 2πn/60.

Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Centre
C = (σx + σy)/2
Radius
R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²)
Principal stresses
σ1,2 = C ± R
Principal direction
tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy)
Inclined plane
σθ = C + (σx − σy)/2·cos 2θ + τxy·sin 2θ

Method

  1. Calculate the centre of Mohr’s circle: C = (σx + σy)/2.
  2. Calculate the radius: R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²).
  3. The principal stresses are C ± R and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.
  4. Angles on the circle are double the angles on the element: tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy).

Axial stress & strain

Normal stress
σ = F/A
Strain
ε = ΔL/L
Hooke’s law
σ = E·ε
Elongation
ΔL = FL/(EA)
Thermal strain
εT = α·ΔT

Column buckling

Euler load
Pcr = π²EI/(KL)²
Effective length factor
K = 1 pinned–pinned, 0.5 fixed–fixed, 0.7 fixed–pinned, 2 fixed–free
Critical stress
σcr = Pcr/A
Slenderness
λ = KL/r, r = √(I/A)

Mechanical vibrations

Natural frequency
ωn = √(k/m), fn = ωn/(2π)
From static deflection
ωn = √(g/δst)
Critical damping
cc = 2√(km) = 2mωn
Damping ratio
ζ = c/cc
Damped frequency
ωd = ωn√(1 − ζ²)
Logarithmic decrement
δ = (1/n)·ln(x0/xn), ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²)
Springs in parallel
k = k1 + k2
Springs in series
1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2

2Practice problems

1.Gears & gear trainsMedium
Nw​ = 30z = 2, 1440 rpm

A worm with 2 start(s) turns at 1440 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 30 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 2Nw = 30n = 1440 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 24ring fixedNp​ = 15nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 24 teeth and each planet gear has 15 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 3000 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 24Np = 15ns = 3000 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 50 mmd2​ = 30 mmT = 250 N·mABC3 m1 m

A stepped solid brass shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 50 mm and length 3 m; segment BC has diameter 30 mm and length 1 m. A torque of 250 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 250 N·md1 = 50 mm, L1 = 3 md2 = 30 mm, L2 = 1 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?15 kW, 750 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 15 kW at 750 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.75 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 50 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 15 kWN = 750 rpmdi/do = 0.75τallow = 50 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −80σy​ = 90τxy​ = −40MPa

A point has σₓ = −80 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 20° clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = −80 MPaσy = 90 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = -20°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​top surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 60 mm carries a bending moment of 500 N·m together with a torque of 500 N·m. At the top surface, where the bending stress is tensile and largest, find the largest principal stress σ1.

d = 60 mmM = 500 N·mT = 500 N·m
σ1 = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmBrass1.5 mP = 10 kN

Find the axial strain ε in the brass bar, in microstrain (µε = 10⁻⁶).

P = 10 kNd = 16 mmL = 1.5 mE = 100 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø25120 GPaØ100/60300 mm

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 150 MPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 120 GPa, allowable stress 60 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 150 MPatube: Ø100/Ø60 mm, E = 120 GPa, σallow = 60 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 m20 × 100 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 20 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 130 kNL = 1.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 130 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 130 kNn = 3L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 150 kN/mc = 8660 N·s/mm = 500 kg

A 500 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 150 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 8660 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 500 kgk = 150 kN/mc = 8660 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 25k2​ = 25k3​ = 5m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 5 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 25 kN/m and k₂ = 25 kN/m; the bar stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs and bar. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 25 kN/mk2 = 25 kN/mk3 = 5 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 96 rpm

Gear trains: meshing gears have the same speed at the teeth, so n₁·N₁ = n₂·N₂: the gear with fewer teeth turns faster. Gears on one shaft turn at the same speed. Power is passed on (minus losses), so torque goes up when speed goes down: T₂ = T₁·(N₂/N₁)·η, and P = T·ω with ω = 2π·n/60.

Wheel speed

nw = n·z/Nw = 1440·2/30 = 96 rpm

Answer

nw = 96 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 923.1 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 24 + 2·15 = 54

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(3000 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −54/24
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 3000·24/78 = 923.1 rpm

Answer

nc = 923.1 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 6.414 °

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Polar moments

J1 = π·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴
J2 = π·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 250 N·m = 250000 N·mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φAB = 250000·3000/(39000·613592) = 0.03134 rad
φBC = 250000·1000/(39000·79522) = 0.08061 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.03134 + 0.08061 = 0.112 rad = 6.414°

Answer

φC = 6.414°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 30.53 mm

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·750/60 = 78.54 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/78.54 = 191 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 191 N·m = 190986 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.75⁴ = 0.6836
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·190986/(π·50·0.6836)) = 30.53 mm
di = 0.75·30.53 = 22.9 mm

Answer

do = 30.53 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 26.89 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 44.4 MPa

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.

Transformation equation for the y′ face

σy′ = 5 − (−85)·0.766 − (−40)·(−0.6428) = 44.4 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = −34.4 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 10 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 44.4 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σ1 = 28.46 MPa

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.

Stresses at the surface

σ = 32M/(πd³) = 32·500000/(π·60³) = 23.58 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·500000/(π·60³) = 11.79 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 11.79 MPa
R = √(11.79² + 11.79²) = 16.67 MPa
σ1 = C + R = 28.46 MPa
σ2 = C − R = −4.883 MPa

Answer

σ1 = 28.46 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 497.4 µε

Hooke’s law: within the elastic range σ = E·ε. Combining with σ = P/A and ε = δ/L gives δ = PL/(AE).

Stress

A = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 10·1000/201.1 = 49.74 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 49.74/100000 = 0.0004974 = 497.4 µε

Answer

ε = 497.4 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 350.7 kN

Two materials: in series (one after the other) every segment carries the same force and the elongations add: δ = P·Σ L/(E·A). In parallel (side by side between rigid plates) both parts shorten by the same amount, so their strains are equal: the stiffer part takes the larger share, Pi = P·EiAi/ΣEA, and σi = Ei·ε. A bar held between two rigid walls with a load at the junction is statically indeterminate: the two segments share the load in proportion to their stiffness k = EA/L.

Areas

Ar = π·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
At = π(100² − 60²)/4 = 5027 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 120·10³·5027 = 7.014 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00075, 0.0005) = 0.0005 (copper)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0005·7.014 × 10⁸ = 350680 N = 350.7 kN

Answer

Pmax = 350.7 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 84.22 kN

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Smallest second moment of area

A rectangle buckles about its weak axis, using the smaller dimension cubed.

Imin = h·b³/12 = 100·20³/12 = 66667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·2500 = 1250 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·66667/1250² = 84221 N = 84.22 kN

Answer

Pcr = 84.22 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 54.86 mm

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Required critical load

Pcr = n·P = 3·130000 = 390000 N
KL = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·390000·1500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 54.86 mm

Answer

d = 54.86 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 109.4, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.5

Free vibration of a mass–spring system: the undamped natural frequency is ωn = √(k/m) in rad/s, and fn = ωn/(2π) in Hz. A viscous damper c gives the damping ratio ζ = c/cc, with critical damping cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·m·ωn. An underdamped system (ζ < 1) oscillates at ωd = ωn·√(1 − ζ²). Springs in parallel add, k = k₁ + k₂; springs in series add as reciprocals, 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂.

Critical damping

cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·√(150000·500) = 17321 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 8660/17321 = 0.5

Answer

ζ = 0.5

ζ < 1, so the system is underdamped and oscillates as it decays.

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.799 Hz

Free vibration of a mass–spring system: the undamped natural frequency is ωn = √(k/m) in rad/s, and fn = ωn/(2π) in Hz. A viscous damper c gives the damping ratio ζ = c/cc, with critical damping cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·m·ωn. An underdamped system (ζ < 1) oscillates at ωd = ωn·√(1 − ζ²). Springs in parallel add, k = k₁ + k₂; springs in series add as reciprocals, 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂.

Equivalent stiffness

Only k1 and k2 are in parallel. That pair is in series with k3, so combine them as reciprocals.

k12 = 25 + 25 = 50 kN/m
keq = 50·5/(50 + 5) = 4.545 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(4545/5) = 30.15 rad/s
fn = 30.15/(2π) = 4.799 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.799 Hz

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